Recruitment, Organization, and Performance

Abstract

This chapter discusses the different recruitment patterns, the organization of Roman court offices, and the performance of Roman court officials. In the late medieval and early modern societies, promotion to office in church or even in state was usually due to patronage where the prevailing link between the lord and the dependent was due to common regional origin. This framework created benefits for both: protection by the lord and service by the client. Although clientelism was a dominant practice in the Roman court, there were still practices and ways with which the popes disregarded clientelism in exchange for more skilled and intellectual men to serve the cause of the church and the popes. In 1423, the cardinals proposed that chamber clerks should be distinguished and serious persons with knowledge of the canon law. After 1487, nominees for official posts had to present a bill of nomination to the college before admission. In addition to discussing the organization and the administration of the Roman court, the latter sections of the chapter discuss the performance and the duties of the court officials, as well as the problems arising from their duties, such as absenteeism, misbehaviour, and corruption.